The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines is concerned to learn that one of the principal accused in the multiple murder case filed over the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan massacre was allowed to leave detention to attend a social event on Tuesday, August 21, 2018.
We are called to respond to the situations of misery and injustice, wherever we work and whatever our specific tasks may be. The poor are always at the centre of our concerns. We believe that the poor, especially among the indigenous peoples, are not only those who do not have the means to satisfy their material needs, but also those who, on the level of human dignity, are excluded from full social and political participation and unable to exercise their right to self-determination, to decide for themselves.
During the Marcos Dictatorship, the word “salvage” or “salbids” translated into “extrajudicial killing.”
If there is one way to describe President Duterte is that he can be consistent. I am not talking about his political agenda or economic plan, but about his recent statement calling God stupid. Saying those words is consistent with how his administration treated people. His lack of respect towards God is seen in his actions and policies. The outrage that many people felt following his tirade against God and the Catholic Church is valid. We hear about those who denounced Duterte as blasphemous while others were strong to defend the account of Adam and Eve in Genesis.
All the world’s a stage
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts
RODRIGO R. Duterte’s presidency has altered and controlled the public discourse so radically in its favor in ways rude and bold. One tragic result: it has restricted and narrowed the celebrated freedom of the Philippine press and the people’s cherished right to know.
As lawyers, we are duty bound, under oath, to be dispensers of justice and as Filipinos, we are morally and historically bound to struggle and protect our freedom and dignity as a people and as a nation.
I am Jerome Succor Aba. I am a Muslim human rights worker from Mindanao, NOT a terrorist.
Statement of National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemning Army’s attempt to bar Davao Today’s reporter, Kath M. Cortez, from covering Marawi protest released on March 31, 2018.
We appeal to you to let Marawi be rebuilt the way our ancestors did: one house at a time, one masjid at a time. One village at a time. We welcome those who are willing to help us in this endeavor, for the challenges are daunting and the costs are high. We appeal though that please help us rebuild according to our will in pursuit of the will of Allah (swt). Stand with us, help us, please, be one of us.
